The human neuronal Cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel superfamily of ion channels are important determinants of human behavior and the target of many drugs. It is essential for their structural characterization to achieve high-level expression in a functional state. The aim of this work was to establish stable mammalian cell lines that enable high-level heterologous production of pure receptors in a state that supports agonist-induced allosteric conformational changes. In a tetracycline-inducible stable human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293S) cell line, GABA A receptors containing a1 and b3 subunits could be expressed with specific activities of 29-34 pmol/mg corresponding to 140-170 pmol/plate, the highest expression level reported so far. Comparable figures for serotonin (5-HT 3A ) receptors were 49-63 pmol/mg and 245-315 pmol/plate. The expression of 10 nmol of either receptor in suspension in a bioreactor required 0.3-3.0 L. Both receptor constructs had a FLAG epitope inserted at the N-terminus and could be purified in one Abbreviations: 5-HT 3 AR, 5-hydroxytryptamine-3A receptor; CMC, critical micelle concentration; DDM, n-dodecyl-b-D-maltopyranoside; EPR, electron paramagnetic resonance; GABA A a1b3R, gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor with a1 and b3 subunits; GPCR, G protein-coupled receptor; GlyR, glycine receptor; HEK293, human embryonic kidney cells; LGIC, ligand-gated ion channel; nAChR, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor; NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance; PEG, poly(ethylene glycol).Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article. Published by Wiley-Blackwell. V C 2010 The Protein Society step after solubilization using ANTI-FLAG affinity chromatography with yields of 30-40%. Purified receptors were functional. Binding of the agonist [ 3 H]muscimol to the purified GABA A R was enhanced allosterically by the general anesthetic etomidate, and purified 5-hydroxytryptamine-3A receptor supported serotonin-stimulated cation flux when reconstituted into lipid vesicles.